500 Section - Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training on mobility and gross motor function in children with central nervous system diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

XL

Xin Li, MS

Ms
Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

QD

Qing Du, PhD

Prof.
Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

Objectives : Robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) is a standardized training method for lower limb function in children with central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the efficacy of RAGT for improving lower limb mobility and motor development in children with CNS diseases requires clarification. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of RAGT on mobility and gross motor function in children with CNS diseases.

Design:
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions in children with central nervous system (CNS) diseases from the inception of the databases to March 14, 2025. Data extraction adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Data were pooled, and meta-analyses were conducted using Stata, version 15.0.

Results:
A total of 17 studies (n=516) were included, and 13 studies were used for meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that RAGT significantly improved walking speed (SMD = 0.47; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.76; P =0.002), 6-Minute Walk Distance (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.58, P = 0.050), and Physiological Cost Index (SMD = -1.90; 95% CI -2.45 to -1.25; P < 0.001) compared to conventional therapy (P < 0.05). The Gross Motor Function Measure-88, Pediatric Balance Scale, and Wee Functional Independence Measure showed improvement trends, but the intervention effect was insignificant. Subgroup analyses for walking speed (primary outcome) demonstrated that RAGT combined with conventional therapy was significantly superior to conventional therapy. Significant improvements were observed with 6 or 8-week durations and 3 or 5 times weekly, and using stationary or wearable robotic systems.

Conclusion:
RAGT positively affects walking speed, walking endurance, and reduces energy expenditure in children with CNS diseases. However, its impact on motor function, balance, and daily living independence is still unclear. Notably, the walking speed, intervention method, robot type, and training parameters may influence training efficiency.